The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) was established by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) by combining five Caribbean Regional Health Institutes (RHIs): The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI)
The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC); The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI); The Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC)
The Caribbean Regional Drug Testing Laboratory (CRDTL).

Using Advanced Techniques to Control Infestation Levels of Zika and other Mosquito Diseases

Vector control remains the primary means through which Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases can be prevented or controlled. Control measures targeted at the mosquito vector in the Region have faced challenges arising from the incorrect application of insecticides. This has resulted in mosquitoes developing resistance to the insecticides commonly used.To apply an effective control response, one should ensure that the insecticides are effective. It is therefore necessary to conduct routine insecticide resistance tests to obtain information on the insecticide resistance status so that vector control programmes can be effectively guided based on evidence.

CARPHA is currently serving as the Executing Agency for a “European-Union (EU) funded Programme of Support for Health System Strengthening for the Prevention and Response to Outbreaks of Zika and other Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the Caribbean.’ One of the main objectives of this twelve (12) month project, which ends in October 2018, is to strengthen vector control programmes in the Region.

As part of the Project, CARPHA with the support of an EU-funded Consultant, mounted a technical mission to Guyana from 9-14 April 2018. The objectives included strengthening Guyana’s capacity for sustained conduct of Insecticide Resistance Testing (IRT); assess country infrastructure and facilities for conducting IRT; and evaluating and assessing competency and technical capacity for conducting IRT.

The CARPHA team also provided training in advanced ovitrapping techniques and in other entomological techniques required for the capture and processing of entomological specimens for IRT.

Twenty-nine (29) members of the Vector Control Division in Guyana benefitted from the training delivered by CARPHA. The application of the new skills and knowledge acquired will contribute to the strengthening of systems to control mosquito vector infestation levels, and ultimately to a reduction in the morbidity associated with Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Another key deliverable of the mission was the presentation of a copy of the draft guidelines for IRT for medically important species of mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) in Guyana to the Director of Vector Control Services, Dr. Horrace Cox. CARPHA will provide technical support for the implementation of these guidelines.

Over the next months, at least four (4) other CARPHA Member States will receive the much-needed capacity-building and technical assistance for Insecticide Resistance Testing (IRT).